LED headlights

[Sam Bee]

Could well be thanks to pressure from the Federation of British Heritage Vehicle Clubs?

[stirlingmg]

Since you’re all messing with your headlight upgrades, can I have all your old sealed beams please? My car is still fitted with its LHD headlamps from it’s time spent in France

[Mike’S-a-loon]

Guess who is going to win the next concourse on originality?

[3litrekiwi]

I did a 1200 mile trip in February and was still running the original sealed beams. One night in the rain things got a bit scary so resolved to do something about an upgrade. It seems the jury is still out on LED's and it seems they are not legal here as an upgrade so I decided to go with a set of H4 halogens for the time being with relays. 

The improvement in light is quite good but I have a query about the best place to pick up the power source. As Fuse 1-2 is fed by a nice fat cable and there was a spare terminal on the fuse box this seemed to be a safe choice however this seems to be problematic for the ammeter as rather than showing negative when the lights are switched on it goes a bit positive. 

I could run a longer wire to the solenoid and draw straight from the battery but if possible would like to keep the wiring neat so figure there must be a suitable pick up from either the fuse box or voltage regulator. 

MkIII 3 Litre, any suggestions?

[johnwp5bcoupe]

Having a look at your wiring diagram Martin you have done all you can as far as I can see (no pun intended) you may have to go with the relay route with Halogen if you need to improve further or fit LED and swap when the time comes to be tested

[Phil Nottingham]

The Battery A1-A2 load does bypass the ammeter but the dynamo charge does not. A fused cable to the starter solenoid is easy to do and the switch needs to be protected by a least one relay if Halogen in used.

The new MOT regs have been amended so LEDs are legal so long as the beam pattern is correct - I have them in our 3 Litre

[3litrekiwi]

Thanks guys, the regulations down here will likely catch up with the UK at some point re the LED's. Provided no damage is being done I'm not too concerned with the odd ammeter reading as the rest of the gauges require a bit of interpretation too! 

[Phil Nottingham]

No damage is being done but the console lighting switch needs at least 1 30A relay to avoid overheating it with halogens and even standard bulbs will suffer less from voltage drop

[3litrekiwi]

Thanks Phil, I have fitted two relays between the circuit to the fuse box and the fuses for each headlamp. The original cables that connected to the L/H side of the fuse box now connects to the relay solenoids and the new feed supplies the power to the lights via the original fuses.

[stirlingmg]

I’ve still had no offers of any unwanted sealed beams🙂 cash waiting for a nice set of genuine Lucas 75 watters if anyone has any

[Phil Nottingham]

The 75w versions have always been scarce!  I am keeping mine on the P5B but they look dim now compared to the Leds on the P5.  I have some spare 45/60w versions for the Land Rovers and the P4 but they are used so life left is variable

[benedict_h]

Apr 11, 2021 10:02:59 GMT stirlingmg said:

I’ve still had no offers of any unwanted sealed beams🙂 cash waiting for a nice set of genuine Lucas 75 watters if anyone has any

Changed sealed beams to Lucas Lub314 the other day. This is what came off: not Lucas, bit rusty and it says 'European' on the front. I am assuming you wouldn't want them..

[stirlingmg]

Thanks but they’ll be for left hand drive

[Sam Bee]

I have several originals. I shall attempt to test a pair. I will PM you with a result.

[benedict_h]

Apr 11, 2021 16:15:51 GMT stirlingmg said:

Thanks but they’ll be for left hand drive

No problem. I'm sure they will be of use to someone. Better give the artist a call right away actually